Afghanistan war: '2,000 more British troops next year'

Up to 2,000 more British troops are likely to be sent to fight in Afghanistan next year, it has been reported.

By Jon Swaine

7:33AM GMT 14 Nov 2008

The Government is considering sending extra reinforcements in order to meet an anticipated request from Barack Obama, the US president-elect, after he takes office in January, according to the BBC.

It is thought that Afghan authorities have also told Gordon Brown that more troops are needed to improve the security situation in the country. Violent clashes have been taking place over the past few days, with a total of 21 soldiers and civilians thought to have been killed.

John Hutton, who took over as Defence Secretary last month, signalled in an interview this week that further troop commitments may be needed to enhance the country's security.

The move could spark domestic criticism of the Government. A poll this week found that almost 70 per cent of the public favoured bringing British troops home. On Wednesday two Royal Marines were killed in the south of the country, taking the British death toll in Afghanistan and Iraq to 300.

The Afghan government has previously urged Mr Brown to increase the British presence in the country, while Mr Obama campaigned on a promise to divert US forces there from Iraq.

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Hamid Karzai, the president of Afghanistan, said: "British troops have been in the very difficult part of Afghanistan, in the most difficult part of the country. They have suffered, they have sacrificed lives in Afghanistan.

"The Afghan people are very grateful for what Britain has done in Afghanistan.

"If we need more troops to add to security, to close the borders to the entry of extremists and terrorists, the exit of narcotics, well, yes, bring more troops," he told the BBC.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said it had not received a request for more troops.

Mr Obama has said the US will commit at least two more American brigades - roughly 8,000 troops - and it is thought he will quickly request that Nato allies also strengthen their numbers after his inauguration.